Big ask for Carty, hope he goes well. Good to see 7 Connachtmen starting (and as good as another, Marmion, in thee too) and 3 more on the bench.

Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam has handed 21-year-old outhalf Jack Carty his first start for tomorrow night’s derby clash with PRO12 champions Leinster.

Carty is one of three changes in an all-Irish qualified backline with an average age of 22 years old. The Athlone-native, who is in his third year of the Connacht Academy, has captained the Connacht Eagles in the British & Irish Cup this season and has featured from the bench in PRO12 games against Benetton Treviso and Munster. Carty’s first of three senior caps came against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun in September 2012.

Tomorrow night sees 21-year-old scrum half and this season’s top try scorer Kieran Marmion play his 44th consecutive game since his debut in 2012.

Darragh Leader has also been brought up from the Academy and starts at fullback tomorrow night in place of the injured Gavin Duffy. The 20-year-old Galway-man has played in three games this season, starting two on the wing at home against Glasgow Warriors and Scarlets.

The forward pack remains unchanged from last week with local flanker Andrew Browne earning his 100th cap for the province. John Muldoon is once again named at Openside while Jake Heenan remains on the injured list. Craig Clarke will captain the side.

There are two changes to the replacements bench with veteran second row Michael Swift returning from injury. Dublin-born Scrum half Paul O’Donohoe is in line to earn his 50th Connacht cap should he be called upon against his former club.

Speaking about the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“With our second and third choice outhalf out injured, we have decided to bring in young Jack Carty to start. Jack has been involved with us in training all year and has had some good performances with the Eagles. It is a great boost to his development as a young Irish qualified 10 to play against such quality opposition and I know he is very much looking forward to the test.

“Young Darragh (Leader) will start at fullback, a position in which he has proven himself with the Ireland U20s in the Rugby World Championship last summer.

“We have an extremely young back line going up against the best team in Europe and the league champions. But we have a belief in our young squad and if every player does their job and commits to the game plan we’ve put in place, then we have every chance of getting the desired result.”

Connacht lineup v Leinster

15. Darragh Leader
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Craig Clarke (captain)
6. Andrew Browne
7. John Muldoon
8. Eoin McKeon



Replacements:

16. Dave Heffernan
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Michael Swift
20. George Naoupu
21. Paul O’Donohoe
22. Dan Parks
23. Tiernan O’Halloran

Unavailable/Injured: Aly Muldowney, Dave Nolan, Sean Henry, Jake Heenan, Willie Faloon, Gavin Duffy, Dave McSharry, Craig Ronaldson, Danie Poolman, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, and Kyle Tonetti.

Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 12
Connacht v Leinster Saturday 4th January 2014 19.15
On TV: RTE Two

After a disappointing performance in defeat away to a patched up Munster side, Connacht will hope to start 2014 on the right note when they host Leinster at the Sportsground. Connacht shocked Leinster with a bonus point win in the corresponding fixture last season but Leinster will be looking to maintain their push for a 2nd consecutive Pro 12 crown with victory in Galway.

Leinster Stats
Founded: 1879
Ground: RDS
Capacity: 18,500
Captain: Leo Cullen
Coach: Matt O'Connor

Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2013/14: Position: 2nd P:11 Pts:36
2012/13: Winners (Beat Ulster 24-18 in the Pro 12 Final) Regular Season Position 2nd Points:78
Heineken Cup: 2nd in Pool 5 Points: 20
Amlin Challenge Cup: Winners (Beat Stade Francais in the final 34-13)

Recent Results
Leinster 19-6 Ulster (Pro 12)
Edinburgh 11-6 Leinster (Pro 12)
Leinster 9-18 Northampton (Heineken Cup)

Next League Fixture:
Sunday 9th February 2014 17.30 (local time) Zebre v Leinster @ Stadio XXV Aprile

Heineken Cup (Pool 1) (Current Standings)
Leinster 13
Northampton 9
Castres 8
Ospreys 5

Achievements
Heineken Cup Winners: 3 (2009, 2011, 2012)

Amlin European Challenge Cup Winners: 1 (2013)

PRO12 (Formerly known as Celtic League / Magners League) Winners: 3 (2002, 2008, 2013)

British & Irish Cup Winners: 1 (2013)

Irish Inter-Provincial Championships Winners: 20


Previous Meetings

Saturday 26th October 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Leinster 16-13 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/13204.php

Saturday 29th December 2012 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Leinster 17-0 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2229.php

Friday 28th September 2012 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Connacht 34-6 Leinster

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2412.php

Then again at least the breakdown will be less of a mess than it was against Munster!

columoc wrote: Sorry, I don't understand, what's wrong with Clancey?

Apart from being a pedantic, over fussy git who rarely if ever let's games flow, not much really... :dry:

I'd like
1 Bucley
2 JHW
3 White
4 Kearney
5 Clarke
6 Browne
7 Muldoon
8 McKeon
9 Marm
10 Parks
11 Healy
12 Murphy
13 Griff
14 Carr
15 Henshaw
16 Henry
17 Wilko
18 Ah You
19 Swift
20 Heenan
21 POD
22 Carty
23 TOH

Sorry, I don't understand, what's wrong with Clancey?

Was really looking forward to this game but then just read that Clancy is reffing!

www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/66040/l...o-return-from-injury

Lam looking to engage in some mind games before Saturday "We have George Clancy [referee] this week and I am confident with his experience that it will be a good game".

In better news Andrew Browne to join the 100 cap club at the weekend and with a bit of luck Heenan will have recovered sufficiently for a place on the bench at least fingers crossed.

Henry, Duffy and Hennan all described as touch and go by Linley.